2014 NFL Draft Close-Up: Iowa Linebacker Christian Kirksey

Over the last three months, NEPatriotsDraft.com has profiled college prospects that potentially fit the needs and seating of the New England Patriots in the 2014 NFL draft. In this 13th and final installment – the previous 12 profiles can be found here – we will take a closer look at the film behind Iowa outside linebacker Christian Kirksey.

No play has been too far away for Christian Kirksey.

It’s been that way since his days at Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis, Mo., where high-effort pursuit branded him a two-way player – a fullback and a linebacker – as well as a two-sport letterman.

But it was on the defensive side of the ball that the track athlete broke free. As a junior in the fall of 2008, Kirksey notched 89 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and an interception, as he helped the Spartans win a state championship in two sports. Along the way, he was named an all-conference honorable mention in football.

That carried over in the fall of 2009, even after Kirksey, a 6’2”, 198-pound senior outside linebacker, verbally committed to the University of Iowa. It carried over, even though the three-star recruit had more on his mind than the game.

His father, Elmer Kirksey, had suffered a stroke. He was recovering in the hospital and unable to watch his son on the field. His son, however, was always close by – as the Journal Sentinel’s Tyler Dunne detailed – often visiting his dad as soon as his games concluded, sometimes spending nights at his bedside before heading to school in the morning.

That adversity forged strength for the younger Kirksey. He was playing for more than the sport, and that was realized as the team captain persevered to amass 163 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and a touchdown.

As the season ended, he saw his name linked to first-team all-state and Missouri All-American honors. And as he graduated that spring, he saw his father there in attendance.

Kirksey packed up to attend the Hawkeyes summer workouts in Iowa City not long after.

It was there, more than four hours from home, that he got the news. His father had died of a heart attack on July 12, 2010. He was 58.

Kirksey was picked up by family and returned to St. Louis that day, and he stayed there until August practices commenced. But from that day on, everything the 18-year-old did was for his father. Everything was for his friend.

As a true freshman, Kirksey played in 11 games and missed two due to injury, notching six total tackles while carving a role on special teams.

As a sophomore in 2011, he emerged to start all 13 tilts at the weak-side and “Leo” spots, collecting 110 total tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three pass deflections and an interception.

As a junior in 2012, Kirksey was named a team captain and fourth-team preseason all-Big Ten by Phil Steele. From there, he went on to start all 12 contests and record 95 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, three pass deflections and two interceptions. In the process, he garnered Next Man In Award recognition.

By the time he was a senior in 2013, the captain found himself on the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award. He lived up to it, starting all 13 matchups between weak and strong linebacker to register 104 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a pass deflection and an interception.

Kirksey’s collegiate career drew to a close on New Year’s Day; however it did not close without accolades. The versatile linebacker, nickelback and special-teamer received the Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” Award, an All-Big Ten honorable mention, in addition to third-team All-Big Ten honors from Phil Steele.

No. 20 received an invitation to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., then an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind. And as the 2014 NFL draft looms, he is received as a third- or fourth-round selection.

Kirksey may not exude the ideal size or physical strength for a linebacker; he weighs in at 233 pounds and benches 16 reps of 225 pounds. But there’s a reason the three-year starter and two-time captain was in the game down on the goal line, as well as on kickoffs and punts.

Nonetheless, there are plays where it will take him time to disengage if he’s held up by a tight end, fullback, wide receiver or offensive tackle. Because of this, he has to be particularly aware of second-level blocks. That time can be costly.

It’s fair to say that Kirksey’s best run stops for the Hawkeyes came from the back side of plays. It’s also fair to say that he may be more of a sub-package asset than a 4-3 base linebacker, yet in the age of hybrid fronts, that’s far from an end-all, be-all.

It’s because he plays fearless off the snap, whether he’s hovering over the edge as a stand-up ‘backer in an under front, whether he’s hovering over tight ends in the nine-technique, or whether he’s five yards off the slot receiver as a nickelback.

This was seen on a 2nd-and-5 in the first quarter of January’s Outback Bowl against LSU.

The Tigers dispersed in “21” personnel for a toss sweep to the 6’1”, 233-pound Jeremy Hill.

The halfback intended on barreling behind the pulling left guard and C-gap fullback block, while the Hawkeyes’ dropped-down 4-3 front intended on stopping it. Kirksey, meanwhile, crouched five yards off receiver Jarvis Landry in the nickel.

Quarterback Anthony Jennings handled the snap from center and turned back for the toss to Hill. As he did, the right side of the line cut down on Iowa’s edge, the interior doubled, and the left side approached linebacker Anthony Hitchens and defensive back Desmond King.

Kirksey would soon join them.

Hill took the toss and made his cut behind 6’6”, 342-pound guard Vidal Alexander. But the penetration by defensive back delayed the run for Iowa’s remaining defenders to swarm.

Kirksey did swarm, sifting outside the rubble as he maintained location of the ball-carrier.

At that juncture, Hill’s progress was impeded by his own blocker, who tripped, forcing the back to do the same.

Kirksey then made his move, as did the likes of linebacker James Morris and others ahead of him.

He sprinted into the peripherals of Hill, jumping into a play he wasn’t indebted in.

Soon after, he landed.

It wasn’t a tackle to Kirksey’s name. His attendance in the play wasn’t all that consequential to outcome – a one-yard loss. But his attendance spoke for itself.

On occasion, the same traits he’s admired for can get the best of him. This is seen when he overruns makeable tackles, and when his 122-inch broad jump sends him lunging at legs.

Even so, sometimes the side-effects are justified by the plays you wouldn’t expect him to make.

When Kirksey lines up on the defensive side of the ball, he’s often mistaken for a safety or a cornerback. If nothing else, that is a testament to his ability to look the part on passing downs.

He’s an agile defender who’s comfortable attacking space; he can swiftly shift his hips and transition to assignments other than his own. That said, there’s more to him than open-field finesse; he is a willing press-man defender who can use his 32 3/8-inch arms to jam slot receivers and tight ends out of their patterns within the five-yard bubble.

From there, Kirksey’s nimble skill set, illustrated in his 4.42 short-shuttle and 7.11-second three-cone, aids him in covering a lot of ground in a short amount of time.

When in man coverage, he has the technique to go along with his funneling press, staying stride for stride downfield or stifling at the pivot point. When in zone coverage, those same attributes accompany his football I.Q. and allow him to multitask between receivers.

Oftentimes, with safety help over top, Kirksey delegates between the slot, the inline tight end and the tailback all in one fell swoop. He will track the wideout while staying in front of the ball, but he will also close back underneath if the tight end or halfback has slipped out.

He illustrated that in the second quarter against Michigan on Nov. 23. As on 3rd-and-10, the Wolverines assembled in “10” personnel with a four-wide set, stacking two receivers in the slot across from a pressing Kirksey and Iowa’s sugaring hybrid front.

By title, only four defensive backs were on the field. And in all, six Hawkeyes were prepped to rush quarterback Devin Gardner. In turn, much weighed on Kirksey and Co. to stick with their men through the fade, curl, deep-over, and dig patterns.

He would have to funnel the 6’3”, 206-pound Jeremy Jackson over the middle.

Gardner harnessed the snap and saw two extra blitzers hitting the right side. He also saw 5’8”, 187-pound wideout Jeremy Gallon establish inside positioning in his dig route.

But at the left hash, he saw Jackson levied by Kirksey’s inside hand, slowing the get-off.

Kirksey stayed in Jackson’s hip pocket through the duration of the arc upfield. And at that time, Gardner released the football, towards the other receiver named Jeremy.

Gallon slipped between the hashes to catch the ball at the first-down marker. But Kirksey’s momentum was bringing him there as well.

In a split second, Kirksey exchanged assignments and delivered a knock on Gallon.

It reverberated.

The completion netted a gain of 13. But Kirksey’s ability to command his receiver and respond to another one kept it from being more.

Kirksey did tally 5.5 sacks over his last three seasons, though his prominence in pass coverage made his presence in pass rush all the more impactful.

He is more of a relentless straight-liner than an edge-bender who will unveil an array of rush moves opposite an anchoring bookend. He will sporadically struggle with efficiency against larger blockers. And while that is unlikely to change, he can make up for it by improving his reaction to the play’s developments.

As of now, if he over-pursues the play-action rollout, he will occasionally lose sight of the forest through the trees and leave himself eclipsed by check-downs. That isn’t a defining aspect of his game, though. Kirksey does more than rush the passer on third down.

But when he does get the green light, it’s a variable that’s often unaccounted for.

Outlook

There are questions regarding Kirksey’s size, the angles he takes, his ability to get off blocks and rush the passer, as well as how he will transition into an NFL role.

Because of these concerns, some may render him a jack of all trades, master of none. This is, in part, because there are cornerbacks better suited for the nickel, and there are more imposing weak-side linebackers suited for the base defense.

Where does that leave Kirksey? The answer will be determined by the organization that drafts him. But what has been determined is his leadership, character, effort, athleticism and scheme flexibility.

Whether it’s on special teams, as a 4-3 off-ball linebacker, as a 3-4 inside linebacker, as a sub-package “Star” or “Money,” or anywhere in between, Kirksey will try it all. He’s an experienced, interchangeable defender who can chase ball-carriers, cover route-runners, and delay-blitz quarterbacks.

And while he does not fit one prototype, he does his best to fit everything else.

Remember what we think Bill will do, he probably wont do and I do not think he will go after one of the top TEs. Its not necessary when we have the best TE in the game on the team. Finding people that can contribute right away would be ideal but do not be surprised if Bill takes a few players we do not need because of the value they bring at their placement in the draft.

1. Ra’Shede Hageman 3-4DE/DT Minnesota
A powerful and athletic defensive lineman who can dominate at the line. He would be rotated in and could start from day one if Wilfork is not ready to go to start the season. He could also play end in a 3-4 alignment which gives the Patriots a lot of positional versatility.

2. Dominique Easley DE/DT Florida
I wanted to mock someone else here but I have a feeling that Easley will fall a little only because of the injuries he sustained last season. He may need a red-shirt year and Wilfork and/or Kelly may not be back after this season. Hageman and Easley could be the new DT tandem for New England and Easley can also play outside at end. He could easily shed a few pounds and play primarily outside behind Jones and Ninkovich.

3. Billy Turner OT/G North Dakota State
Turner is an intriguing offensive line prospect. He has a lot of talent but needs a decent amount of coaching and might be better off moving inside to guard similar to Mankins when he came out of college. Worst case scenario he is a top backup.

4. C.J. Fiedorowicz TE Iowa
A less talented Gronkowski clone who could create significant mismatches in the red zone and would be an upgrade over everyone in blocking. Fiedorowicz could be a decent number one TE but he will be a solid backup to Gronk.

4(Comp). Bruce Ellington WR South Carolina
The Patriots have been very interested in Ellington in the pre draft process and could use him in a multitude of ways. He could be a valuable contributor at the return game and he is faster than all of the current Patriots WRs. Reminds me of a faster Branch.

6(PHI). Aaron Lynch DE/OLB South Florida
Lynch has some character issues but I do not think the Patriots will ignore his talent especially if he falls to the middle of the 6th round (which is very possible). Lynch would be an immediate upgrade over all of the Patriots backup DE and could allow Ninkovich to play more snaps at linebacker in passing situations. Steal with this pick.

6. Prince Shembo ILB/OLB Notre Dame
Shembo may be nothing more than a career backup at linebacker but his athleticism and intelligence will be to much to pass up this late in the draft. Brian Kelly and Bill have become friends recently and Kelly has nothing but great things to say about Shembo. The Patriots want to get more athletic at all the positions and Shembo would be a perfect backup to Collins and Mayo.

7. Bennett Jackson CB Notre Dame
Back to back Notre Dame players. Jackson could struggle to even make the roster as he has a significant amount of talent ahead of him but he could make the roster as a backup. With Logan Ryan possibly flirting with the safety position having a few more talented backups at the corner back position cannot be a bad thing.

Kirksey and Tripp are two of the LB’s I would love to see the pats get. He has a motor that does not idle. If you can get either/both in the 4th round that would be quite a haul. If you can only get one I would go after Tyler Starr in round 6. I hope that the PATS do not draft a QB or RB this year. Not needed…IMO

I agree on Kirksey and Tripp. I would prefer getting one of these two at the end of RD3, than spend an earlier pick on LB (like shazier or mosley in RD1). To me, we have three starting LB’s, and typically only two of them are on the field anyway since they are in nickel so much, so I’d rather save an early pick to fill another need, and get one of those guys as the 4th LB.

I get that some people don’t see an immediate need for QB right now, however I don’t even think it is a question that there is a need for RB, rather the debate would be at what cost–early or late in the draft. Jim, can you explain why you don’t see a need for RB? Would you prefer to sign a FA like michael bush? Or do you not think there is a hole at all currently? Just looking for some perspective, not trying to bash your opinion…

Personally, I think that one back needs to be added to ridley, vereen, and bolden. I’d rather add someone in the last two rounds, see what they can do this year, and then let ridley walk next year and use an early round pick on a RB from the deep RB class next year.

With the RB’s we have 4 on our roster 3 RB and 1 Fb they will be here this year. If you draft 1 this year how much time will they see? As a priority i think they could get an UDFA (Mike Dwyer,Isiah Crowell) for depth. You may loose vereen,Bolden and Ridley next year. I think the Running back position is pretty easy to replace.
League wide you see dime a dozen backs making rosters and contributing. That tells me that the position can be plug and play with different skill sets. Just my opinion